The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1887-09-28
drunkenness Abroad.

Drunkenness AOrOnI~
When so many less momentous sabJscts
are the topic for discussion in international
and colonial congresses, it is gratifying to
learn that we have at length such congress
for the consideration of inebriety, or what
we prefer to call drunkenness. DR.. Norman
Kerr delivered the opening address Of the
first meeting at the Westminster Town Hall.
It is lamentable to find that in all civilized
countries this vice, or, as the Congress pre-
fers to call it-this diseases so prevalent.
The most educated nations-Scotland,
Germany, France-are as deeply affected as
others; and, what is sadder still, they are the
most most blameworthy in carrying the materies
morbi to uncivilized peoples, which are being
demoralized and destroyed by drink.
Our own colonies are drinking badly. Men OF
authority and medical experience say that In
Australia our fellow subjects drink far be.
yond anything in this country, and beyond
their own potations twenty years ago. Chev-
alier Max Proskowetz de Proskowmarstorf
stated at the Congress that in Austria drunk
enness was increasing everywhere on danger.
Gus scale. DR.. Petithan, Of L:ege, reported
alcoholism in Belgium to be increasing with
frightful rap;dity. Everywhere there are
temperance reformers and noble men who set
q splendid example of sobriety and self de-
nial The leaders Of medicine everywhere
by their pathological and medical studies de-
monstrate the injury done by alcohol to the
essential organs of the body-beart, liver,
kidneys brain and bladder. What is to be
done against disease so deep and vice so
Dr. T. b. Crothers thinks that in the
United States the time is not far distant
when the drunkard will be taken from his
home and from the street and quarantlned
in special hospitals. The inadequate hibitual
drunknrds' bill of our own country IS about
to expire, and few weak attempts; at
strengthening it are to be made. But these
are not radical remedies Another sugges-
tion at the Congress was that school children
should be taught the effects Of drink on
health and national welfare. This is to be
commended. Mere general intelligence IS not
so much safeguard as might have been ex-
pected. Specific information drilled into the
Young of all the European schools seems
The medical profession can do much:
Statesmen and royal families have great
responsibility brought home to them by
Canon Farrar in heavy Indictment IN TINS
months Contemporary Reuie1U,. entitled,
"Africa and the Drink Trade" which IS sad
reading for the countrymen OF Livingstone
and Stanley. England, Germany-especla!ly
Germany-and the United States, the chlet
representatives Of that religion or whlcn
Claiming said, christianity IS the mlgnty
power before which intemperance is 10 tan,
are pouring rum and other spirits into Africa
az fast as their heartless traders can 90 IL,
without restraint from their rulers at nome,
and against the piteous cry OF the hapiess
people and chiefs of the county, who feel tnat
Il will destroy them, and that it IS worse
curse than the slave trade, which our fatners
did 90 much to exterminate. ate.-Lohdon Lancet.